Polish Hug

Tough packers and riders

Temple Square blooms

Drought relief 

I seem to be less and less motivated to write as the mission goes on, even when I find an hour and an ounce of energy.  Maybe it’s because I spend so much time at a computer in the library, that I don’t want to sit at one at home.  I know I will regret it, though, if I don’t record at least a few “happenings.” 

            The best experience from the library was helping a patron named John D*ski (* is used when doing a “fuzzy search” for a name that is often misspelled), of Polish descent.  He was loudly delighted when we found records of his grandfather who settled in Massachusetts from Poland in 1909.  Looks like he lived on the “Polish block.”  We were rushing to get documents saved before the computers turned off at 9pm on Saturday.  As we stood up, he said, “I am probably breaking all the rules, but I just have to give you a hug.”  I told him, “That’s fine, my husband is standing right behind you.”  He then shared with us that he lives in Boise, but has been staying near the U Hospital because he is near the top of a heart transplant list.  And he wanted to make sure that we knew that the president of our church was a renowned heart surgeon.  It appears he has studied and is duly impressed by President Nelson’s accomplishments.   I hope my friend, John, gets his heart.  I know he certainly warmed mine.

            Being a trainer at the library is getting a little less nerve-wracking—a little.  The butterflies still fly.  The practice, especially with the Irfan View and other programs, is good for me, though, because it helps the learning “stick.”   

            Our daughter, Lindsey, went with us to the Provo City Center Temple.  It is unique in its beauty. A miracle that it came from the ashes of the old Provo Tabernacle.  I also like the double stair case at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  In our mission, there are twelve temples we can attend without seeking travel permission.  So far, we’ve been to Provo City Center, Mt Timpanogas, Draper, Oquirrh Mountain, Salt Lake, Jordan River, and Bountiful.  Still would like to get to Payson, Provo, Ogden, Brigham City and Logan.  And all of the other Utah temples😊 

            We “took a hike” up Grove Canyon in Pleasant Grove with Lindsey, Luke and Elle.  Elder Challis front-packed Elle; Lindsey front-packed-held Luke; and I backpacked the lunch.  We were on the trail by about 8:45 am and got back to the car about 2:15pm, hiking about 7.4 miles with a 2,215 elevation gain.  The hike is along a shale cliff face, then through a tall pine forest, and finally to grassy meadows at the base of Timp.  Grove Creek was running high, so the waterfalls and cascades were rushing and roaring.  We got our feet wet crossing a couple of tributaries that were too wide to jump.  The trail loops back down Battle Creek, but we decided to save that adventure for another time. 

            Elder Challis and I had checked out the Battle Creek side the night before, by hiking up a steep ¾ mile to the waterfall, a “highly trafficked” hike.  The best part of that hike was coming back to the bench just in time to catch the sunset--stunning with the “fire” above the mountains, the silver blue lake, and the lights beginning to twinkle in the valley.

            Ice cream at the BYU Creamery sounded great after the day of hiking.  We met our granddaughter Challis there, got our ice cream and got caught up on her adventures in Lake Powell and Grand Canyon—to the bottom and back.  Now that’s a hike! 

            We much enjoyed the Bells on Temple Square Spring Concert in the Tabernacle. Amazing the different harmonies and pitches.  Really fun when percussion, clarinet, and bass were added.   We continue to be inspired by Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday mornings.   Pretty slick that we can just walk across the street and take a seat.